TRUCK-LITE SPONSORS TWO SENIOR ENGINEERING PROJECTS PRESENTED AT THE 2025 FASENMYER ENGINEERING DESIGN CONFERENCE AT PENN STATE BEHREND

Erie, PA (May 14, 2025) Truck-Lite sponsored two senior engineering projects presented at the 2025 Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference at Penn State Behrend on Saturday, May 3.

The Richard J. Fasenmyer Conference presents the results of yearlong engineering senior projects supervised and managed by students and guided by their faculty and industry advisers. In many cases, the projects address applied problems posed by industrial sponsors.

For the past 15 years, Truck-Lite has been sponsoring Fasenmyer Engineering Design projects to proactively understand any potential long-term issue their customers might face. The projects are studied by Penn State senior engineering students in collaboration with Truck-Lite R&D and are undertaken to take advantage of next generation talent to solve the next generation problems the transportation industry may face.

“We are forever curious about ways to solve intrinsic issues as well as expected future problems facing our customers,” commented Roger Elmer, VP of Research. “In many cases, the long-term results of the problems we propose to the students with our sponsored projects can be devasting to a fleet’s operation without a solution. We believe opening our minds to new thinking has the potential to make a great difference for our customers.”

The Truck-Lite sponsored projects presented at the 2025 Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference were:

Project 1: Investigation of LED Wavelength Effect on Optical Components made from Polycarbonate and PMMA Polymers—Plastic Engineering Technology Department

• Issue: Understanding of long-term effects of LED wavelength on optical performance. Over time (1,000s and 1,000s of hours on) investigation included determining if minor degradation of material inside LED headlights was present.  Truck-Lite wanted to understand if extended exposure would impact optical performance from baseline measurements.
• What did they find? Does not have a detrimental effect or break down of the polycarbonate lens structure.    It did not impact functionality of the lamps and passed optical performance to industry compliance limits.
• Customer benefit - Confidence in product durability, reliability, trust in Truck-Lite forward thinking, solving problems before they happen

Project 2: Investigation of Fog Light Material Optimization for Thermal and Optical Management – Polymer Science Engineering Department

• Issue: Over thousands of light hours exposure, thermoplastic housings of fog light could begin to thermally break down polymer chains in the form factors.   Truck-Lite wanted to know if there was an alternative polymer family that could better withstand the thermal stress.
• What did they find?  Found a more stable, thermally enhanced material that can withstand the temperatures in current lighting environments.    Enhanced material properties eliminate the need for a metalizing process to protect the form factors.
• Customer benefit – A better material for customers, longer lasting, streamlining manufacturing, reduced potential future issues. Some lighting assemblies have already made the switch. 

Truck-Lite relocated its U.S. headquarters to Penn State Behrend’s Knowledge Park in Erie, PA in 2021.  

About Truck-Lite

Truck-Lite Co., LLC, a Clarience Technologies company, is a global technology leader focused on forward and safety lighting, wiring harnesses, turn signals and safety accessories for the medium- and heavy-duty truck, trailer, off-road and commercial vehicle industries. The company is headquartered in Erie, PA, with additional U.S. facilities in Coudersport, McElhattan and Wellsboro, PA and international facilities in Harlow, England and Puebla, Mexico. Learn more at www.truck-lite.com.

About Clarience Technologies

Clarience Technologies focuses on developing vehicle and fleet management technology innovations for the commercial vehicle, passenger car, recreational off-road machine, and pleasure craft markets. Through our data and insights, we improve fleet management, streamline supply chain management, and enhance safety on and off the road. Since our Truck-Lite brand introduced the first sealed marker light in 1955, our companies have unveiled a steady stream of innovations that have turned customers into long-term partners. Today, Clarience Technologies is a global company known for its quality and dedication to sustainability – and to providing the technologies that keep our world moving forward. Learn more at www.clariencetechnologies.com.

About Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend is a four-year and graduate college offering the resources and opportunities of a major research university in a welcoming, student-centered environment. With 4,700 undergraduate and graduate students, more than 45 academic programs, and an 854-acre campus, the college offers an academically rigorous, globally respected Penn State education in a setting where students have close interaction with faculty and meaningful out-of-classroom experiences. Learn more at www.behrend.psu.edu.